Weeping Golden Chain Tree (a.k.a. Weeping Laburnum) will steal the show in your late spring garden. Like Rapunzel casting down her golden locks, this strongly weeping ornamental tree unfurls long strands of sunny yellow flowers that sweep the ground. The fragrant flowers are a pollinator’s paradise, and honeybees will buzz happily among the blossoms. Hummingbirds—just back from their winter vacation in the tropics—love to visit Laburnum flowers, too. No garden is too small for this petite specimen tree, and you’ll want to showcase it near your porch, patio, deck, or anywhere you and your guests gather during the balmy, sweet days of late spring.

Growth Facts

The Story

Golden Chain Tree is a native of the Alps, with a natural range stretching from France to the former Yugoslavia. Due to its small size, it has never been much of a lumber tree, though its wood has been used in musical instruments like flutes and bagpipes. This tree belongs to the Pea Family, which is a large family that includes garden peas and beans, as well as other ornamental trees like Redbuds, Yellowwoods, and Locusts— and the vine, Wisteria. This weeping form has been grown since the early 1800s.

The Details

Expect the same pendulous clusters of brilliant yellow flowers on this Weeping Golden Chain Tree as on the original. This weeping version tends to be a little smaller than its upright cousin, but you can still expect the same olive green bark, bright green foliage and those outstanding yellow flowers... so, what are you waiting for?

How to Grow

This is not a tree for the hot, humid South, as it will inevitably pine for the cool mountain air of its homeland and quickly decline. Besides mild summers, the other thing Weeping Golden Chain Tree requires to thrive is uncompacted soil that allows water to drain freely. All parts of the tree are poisonous, so exercise caution if there are young children around. While the seeds, pods, and leaves are nasty-tasting enough to discourage snacking and well-documented cases of lethal poisonings are almost unheard of, the threat is there.

More Info

Cold Tolerance/Hardiness Zone5

Heat Tolerance/Hardiness Zone7

ExposureSun/Part Shade

Avg Mature Height12'

Avg Mature Width10'

Spacing8-10'

Growth RateMedium

Leaf ColorGreen

Flower ColorYellow

Flower TimeLate Spring

Cary Award WinnerNo

PA Gold Medal AwardNo

Attractive BarkNo

Attracts BirdsNo

Attracts ButterfliesNo

Attracts HummingbirdsYes

Attracts PollinatorsNo

Deer ResistantYes

Drought TolerantYes

Dry, Poor SoilsNo

Edible FruitNo

FragrantYes

GroundcoverNo

Hedge/WindbreakNo

NativeNo

Salt Tolerance/SeashoreYes

Seasonal Cut BranchesNo

Shade ToleranceYes

Showy FlowersYes

SpecimenYes

Urban ConditionsNo

Utility Line TreesYes

Wet Moist SoilsNo

Winter InterestYes

Woodland GardenYes

Decor/Craft UseNo

Size Guide

Scale

Size B

This graphic shows the approximate size and form of the Tree you are viewing.